KOBE BRYANT’S Achilles injury flared again as the Los Angeles Lakers ended a four-game losing streak with a 95-91 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday.

    Bryant, who had missed Sunday’s loss to the Utah Jazz with an Achilles problem, limped out of the contest in the second quarter after scoring seven points in 16 minutes. The veteran sat on the bench during the first half with a large ice wrap on his balky right shoulder, which kept him out for three games earlier this month.

    Bryant’s last three seasons ended early because of injuries, and the 37-year-old superstar is missing even more time lately. He went 3 for 9 against the Pelicans, missing all five of his 3-point attempts, before the Lakers decided to give him an early night.

    “I don’t know the extent of it, but obviously it must be bothering him pretty badly,’’ Lakers coach Byron Scott said.

    Lou Williams scored nine of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, the Los Angeles Lakers’ young lineup capitalized for a promising win.

    After Julius Randle hit a go-ahead finger roll with 43 seconds left, Williams added a clutch running jumper with 18 seconds to play. Los Angeles hung on to win the meeting of the Western Conference’s worst teams, surviving a back-and-forth fourth quarter for just its ninth win of the season.

    Jordan Clarkson scored 18 points for the Lakers, while D’Angelo Russell added 13 points after missing one game with a sprained ankle. The rookie put the Lakers ahead for the first time with a 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter.

    Scott finished the game with Williams and four youngsters on court — although the group didn’t include Russell, who acknowledged frustration. The Pelicans scored the next 10 points after Russell’s go-ahead shot, but the Lakers eventually reclaimed the lead on Williams’ jumper with 1:16 to play. Tyreke Evans scored 21 points for the Pelicans, who lost their fourth straight and hit arguably the lowest point of their wildly disappointing season.(SD-Agencies)